http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/school-guns-wi3-s5.pngRepublicans side with the Gun Lobby and the NRA over 80% of Wisconsinites.

MADISON – On Thursday, the Republican majority in control of our Legislature missed the opportunity to meet in a special session and finally do something about gun safety reform with two common sense proposals on universal background checks and extreme risk protection orders.

The losers were the people. Despite overwhelming public support for these proposals, including the support of the majority of Wisconsin gun owners, Republicans refused to take up the bills.

“Republicans had the choice of siding with victims of domestic abuse, kids, suicide prevention groups and victims of gun violence along with 80% of Wisconsinites who want commonsense gun safety reform or the NRA and the Gun Lobby," said Senator Dave Hansen (D-Green Bay).  “Sadly, it is no surprise that they chose to side with the Gun Lobby and the NRA.”

The facts on the need for gun safety reform are clear.

• Abused women are five times more likely to be killed if their abuser owns a firearm.

• Domestic violence assaults involving a gun are 12 times more likely to end in death than assaults with other weapons or physical harm.

• Of the 624 people in Wisconsin who died from guns last year, 70% were the result of suicide.

• The NRA has donated over $5 million to Republican politicians in Wisconsin alone.